Joe Kinnear has admitted he will need to remind Joey Barton of the need for calm under pressure as the controversial Newcastle United midfielder prepares to return from suspension against local rivals Sunderland on Saturday.

The prospect of Barton starting his first game since his release from jail, where he was serving six months for assault, in the potentially tempestuous surroundings of a North-east derby is enough to make anyone apprehensive and Kinnear, the Magpies' interim manager, knows he could be asking for trouble if he does play him at the Stadium of Light.

Although Barton, who proved his fitness playing for the reserves against Middlesbrough last night, made a brief substitute appearance at Arsenal back in August, he has not started a competitive game since he admitted to assaulting two people in a drunken rage in Liverpool last Christmas.

The 26-year-old, who has served a six-match ban after he also admitted over the summer that he had attacked his former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo following a training ground row in May 2006, was given a rough ride by supporters at the Emirates Stadium and was involved in an ugly exchange of tackles with the French winger Samir Nasri.

He can expect to receive even worse abuse from Sunderland fans, while opposition players will also hope to provoke him into losing his temper. Kinnear, though, knows Barton must learn to control himself, even when antagonised, and the decision on whether to pick him will largely rest on the assurances he receives during a private meeting with the player.

He said: "Barton's in the running for sure, but it has gone through my head that such an intense fixture might be too much for him at this stage. I'll have a one-to-one with him, that's if I get a word in with him because he's a typical Scouser isn't he.

"Obviously, I have spoken to him about the importance of staying on the pitch against Sunderland because he trains as he plays believe it or not. I am going to sit down with Joey and explain that to him."

There were concerted calls from Newcastle supporters for the club to sack Barton when he was jailed, but the player was backed by former manager Kevin Keegan. Given the threadbare nature of the squad he has inherited, Kinnear is relieved he did.

He said: "His fitness level is good and what has happened in the past with the lad is over and done with. I am only here to assess his ability as a player and he's a good player, he really is. He's got a big heart and is a good character. And on top of that he can play."